King William the Lion bestowed the church of Kulter, "iuxta Abirdene", upon the Abbey and monks of St Mary of Kelso, about 1165–1199.

Alan of Soltre, chaplain, who had probably been an ecclesiastic of the hospital, or monastery of Soutra, in Lothian, was presented by the Abbot of Kelso, to the vicarage of the church of Culter, 1239–1240.

High up on the steep, rocky bank of the Culter Burn, near the western exit of the town, was a colourful and well-tended kilted wooden figure holding a broadsword and targe, representing Rob Roy Macgregor, who, according to local legend, leapt across the burn at that point to flee pursuing Hanoverian troops (given the width of the stream there, the story - which has its local variants in many parts of Scotland - is unlikely to have much basis in fact).

Due to its nearness to Aberdeen City and being only about thirty miles (50 km) from the Cairngorm National Park, Culter is a base for tourists.

Each year, on the last Saturday in May, is the Culter Gala, in the main playing field of the town; this event draws hundreds of local townsfolk.